2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Oldham Athletic

Player Decisions

Retain

Callum Kavanagh, Jack Stevens, Matt Hudson, Tom Pett, Mike Fondop, Manny Monthe, Kane Drummond, Tom Donaghy, Jake Leake, Donervon Daniels, Joe Garner, Will Sutton, Oli Hammond, Jamie Robson

Release

Dynel Simeu, Reagan Ogle, Jake Caprice, Tom Conlon, Billy Waters

Sell

Josh Hawkes, Ryan Woods

Loan End

Fabio Jalo, Michael Mellon, Kai Payne, Kane Taylor

Loan Out

Tom Donaghy

Sign

Gus Scott-Morriss, Elliott Nevitt, Ollie Norburn

Retained Squad

New Signings

Ryan Inniss (Forest Green Rovers – free)

The Latics have already got two starting centre-backs, but they will be looking to add some competition during the off-season. One player that I would look at as a potential signing going into the season having announced his departure from Forest Green Rovers is experienced defender Ryan Inniss. 

Ryan Inniss was released at the end of the 2025-26 campaign by Robbie Savage, and I think that was largely due to the fact that the centre-back is not a good stylistic fit for the way that Savage wants to play. Savage has put together a side that is built around being a possession-based team, with a lot of responsibility on progressing the ball out from the back, stepping into midfield and comfortable playing a very transitional, high-paced, deliberate style. Inniss’ main strengths are not in the quality of using the ball, and so he has moved on. 

As a profile, Inniss is your archetypal box defender. Aerially strong. Physically imposing. Robust and aggressive in the tackle. He is a good out-and-out defender, and in a Mellon system that doesn’t put emphasis on ball progression from deep beyond working it wide through Drummond and Stevens as well as going long into a focal #9 I think that he represents a good fit. He isn’t going to be your flashy type that is going to dispossess an attacker for pace or pass out from the back, but you are going to get someone that is going to put their body on the line and defend their goal. 

In terms of being a “defender”, I think that Inniss is actually the best option that Forest Green Rovers had on their books and their decision to let him go may well be one that they will regret in time. The defender is 30 years of age, and has played at a higher level. I feel that Inniss is capable of playing League Two football, but is then capable of being a good squad option in the event that The Latics can get promoted to League One. He has played in the league before for five different sides. As a long-term option that they can have around the ground for two to three years, I believe he offers them a really useful option. 

They’ve got joy in signing from Forest Green Rovers’ ‘unwanted players’ before with the addition of Jamie Robson, and that signing turned out to be an inspired piece of business. Given that he is now a free agent, I think he is attainable for Oldham Athletic. The simplificity in which Mellon likes his centre-backs to play is a good fit for Inniss’ game, and I think it is a good move for both parties.

Aaron McGowan (Tranmere Rovers – free)

After the signing of Gus Scott-Morriss from Southend United, I wouldn’t be surprised to see boss Micky Mellon set up in a three at the back at times this season. As such, I think that even if they do sign a centre-back, I feel adding another versatile defensive option that can play across the backline as backup that can provide competition to the ‘starters’ would be useful. One player that I would look at as being a good fit for this role is Aaron McGowan. 

Mellon has tended to favour an experienced group, and while he himself has referenced the fact that he expects to try and lower to the average age of the group during the summer with their recruitment I do think that there is value in adding experience. Indeed, I am still fully expecting that we will see Mellon add one or two experienced faces, and this in addition to new signings Ollie Norburn and Elliott Nevitt. McGowan is only 29 years of age, yet is someone with vast experience for the level and so would be another useful addition to the group as far as knowing how to be part of successful sides.

As a player, McGowan is capable of playing anywhere across the backline, albeit has played largely on the right-hand side of the defence. If The Latics play a four, I think he is capable of playing as a right-back or as a centre-back. In a three, he is ideal for that right sided centre-back role or using his intelligence and reading of the game playing as a sweeper. He can – if required – be used on the left-hand side, and so I think that he covers a number of bases. Having a composite option in the group that is so durable and versatile as McGowan is incredibly useful, and provides value for money. I expect The Latics to be ambitious in the market, yet I don’t think they’ll go ‘overboard’ financially and so finding value for money is key. 

In terms of his attributes, McGowan is a no-nonsense defender that has got a strong work ethic off the ball, aggressive in winning the ball back, has got a good reading of the play and strong aerially. He isn’t the most attacking defender in terms of ball progression, but he is someone that is going to provide Mellon with a reliable defensive operator that is going to play in a low risk fashion; that buys into Mellon’s philosophy. 

The defender has been promoted from League Two with Northampton Town, and so he contributes to the winning culture that Mellon is trying to build. The success that Mellon has sought at Oldham Athletic has been built around bringing in players who know how to win, and we have already seen that this summer with Norburn signing. McGowan brings leadership, a strong technical appreciation and good decision-making in defensive actions.

Jack Evans (Harrogate Town – fee)

One area of the pitch that is going to require a fair bit of work for Oldham Athletic during the summer is the centre of the park. With Tom Conlon and Ryan Woods both moving on to pastures new, Micky Mellon needs to add a new midfield operator that can dictate the tempo of a game and in making efficient use of the ball. One player I would look at signing for a transfer is Harrogate Town’s Jack Evans. 

Evans signed for The Sulphurites last summer after a good campaign with FC Halifax Town in the National League, and the midfielder has stepped up into League Two and picked up where he left off with The Shaymen. A multiple Player of the Year winner. The standout player in an underwhelming Harrogate Town side in 2025-26. With The Sulphurites being relegated out of the Football League, I think that he will be a player very much in high demand. 

The role that he would be expected to do in this Oldham Athletic team is similar to that which he has done so well with The Shaymen and The Sulphurites. Sitting at the base of the midfield. Dictating the play. Strong technically. Sitting in front of the backline, cutting out passing lines and recycling the ball. Neat one-two’s. Taking the sting out of a game in keeping the ball, or in injecting pace through vertical, progressive passing through the lines. 

He isn’t a very imposing figure in the midfield – given that he is a diminutive customer – but he is technically competent, with a lovely range of passing and a good left-foot. He has played some of his minutes as a left-back with FC Halifax Town, but he has really made that spot his own as a defensive midfielder with The Shaymen. 

I think that he would offer Mellon an upgrade on what they have had this season. Evans is more press resistant. Better receiving the ball back to goal and in getting on the turn to face up the play. The speed in which he gets the ball and manipulates under pressure is sharper, with better technical quality. He isn’t that quick across the ground, but I feel that he definitely provides The Latics with a holding midfield profile that is better-equipped to handle the intensity and technical demands of League Two. 

Given the form that he has been in the past 18 months to two years, I think it is very unlikely that he goes back to playing National League football in 2026-27. If Oldham Athletic are able to persuade him to sign for them during the summer, I feel they would be getting a player that is capable of being one of the top players in his position for League Two. He would require a fee given that he is still contracted to Harrogate Town going into 2026-27, but I feel that he would represent a wise investment for The Latics.

Harvey Bunker (Forest Green Rovers – free)

The second player in these selections that finished the 2025-26 campaign at National League side Forest Green Rovers and who I think may represent a credible option for The Latics to sign is midfielder Harvey Bunker. Released at the end of the campaign by Robbie Savage, I feel that he is capable of making the step up into the Football League and as such could offer value for Micky Mellon’s side. 

In terms of the type of midfield profile that I would look for, I think that Bunker represents a really nice all-round mix of attributes. I feel that he can be used as a sitter that can dictate the tempo of a game with his technical quality, yet equally can be used more advanced whereby he is able to open up the opposition with intelligent passing. 

One of the major reasons as to why I like Bunker is because he is capable of playing in a number of different midfield roles. He has got the physicality, size and stature to be used at the base of midfield in being combative against the ball. He is suitably skilful and technical with the ball such that he can get on the ball and create. His off-the-ball work-rate is good. His use of the ball in tight areas is efficient. He possesses a lovely weight of pass, and is capable of passing off either foot.  

I think that Oldham Athletic have perhaps missed that box-to-box, athletic, high energy runner in their midfield that can get ‘up and down’, but Bunker provides that. He is mobile enough and athletic to get about the pitch. 

It is not often that you see a player leave a club and then make the step up into a higher league, but in the case of Harvey Bunker that I think that he could be a useful option for them to consider signing. I definitely feel that he has been one of the better midfielders in the National League for Forest Green Rovers, and I would overlook the fact that he was let go by Robbie Savage this summer. I still think that he is a very capable midfielder that could quite easily adjust to League Two, and so he should be on the list of summer targets for Micky Mellon to sign.

Isaac Heath (Everton – loan)

Jack Stevens has been in good form for The Latics since breaking into the team, and he will likely be the starting left winger. However, I feel that if they are to challenge for getting into the top seven there is a lot to be said for adding competition to the squad to ‘keep him on his toes’ and to provide Micky Mellon with a different option. One player I would look at as a potential signing is young Everton academy player Isaac Heath. 

Isaac Heath finished the campaign on the books of fellow League Two side Accrington Stanley, and the youngster impressed. He played a total of 30 times for Stanley in the league and registered a total of eight goal involvements during that time. He has been used in a wing-back capacity largely during his time with Stanley, but I feel it is as a traditional winger where he is most effective. The Latics operate with a system that incorporates more traditional wingers, and so I think that it represents a good stylistic fit for the youngster. 

Given that they have already got a right-footed winger operating largely off the left-hand side in the form of Jack Stevens, I feel it would be useful to add a natural left-footer. He is a good ball-carrier, quick feet, a mazy dribbler, covers ground effectively and very dynamic in his running, and has got a lovely energy. 

One of the reasons as to why I like Heath is a prospective signing is given that he offers Mellon versatility. Predominantly, he is a winger. The Latics’ backline is not the most adventurous in terms of attacking output, and they are fairly strong defensively. As a result, I think that Heath would thrive playing closer to goal as a winger in The Latics 4-4-2 system. He can be used as a left-back and so provides cover to Jamie Robson. He can be used off the right-hand side, and also as a #10. The Latics don’t have one of the bigger squads in the league, and so adding a player that is as adaptable as Heath provides real value.

After doing well in League Two last season, Everton may well want to test him at a higher level during 2026-27. However, in the event that he is available for another loan in League Two then I would make an enquiry as to the possibility of signing him on a season-long loan. I think that another opportunity to go out and play minutes is what he needs for his development, and so I feel League Two represents a sensible level at which to pitch him. If The Latics can get it done, Heath would be a good acquisition.

Keanan Bennetts (Notts County – free)

Prior to his announcement as a signing for Crawley Town, I had Stephen Duke-McKenna down as a potential option for Oldham Athletic to sign during the summer. In wake of his signature with The Red Devils, one player I would look at to play on that right-hand side and provide competition to what they have already got at their disposal is former Notts County man Keanan Bennetts. 

Bennetts was let go at the end of the campaign by The Magpies, but I think that he could well be a useful option to consider. When I recommend players, I look at the attributes that a player offers and how they potentially can fit into the existing structure of a side and complement what they have got, and I feel Bennetts has certainly got a nice all-round profile for an attacking player that I think would provide The Latics with something a bit different to what they have got currently. 

As a profile, Bennetts is the type of player I would typically look at. When I watched The Latics last season, I felt that they perhaps lacked speed and power in the way they played. Bennett is a powerful athlete with a good turn of speed, incredibly energetic and explosive in the way that he is able to carry the ball forward and attack space. The Latics could also do with the addition of a ball-carrier that is capable of getting the team up the pitch and can commit players, and Bennetts provides that. 

Bennett is direct, and wants to get to the byline. At times, I thought that Oldham Athletic were a little bit too deliberate in going back to front and they didn’t have that many runners that wanted to go beyond the play. Bennetts will take risks by wanting to drive the ball to goal, with good footwork in tight areas and the ability to create separation in transition in getting away from his marker. 

One of the advantages that you get with signing a player like Bennetts is that he is duel purpose given that he can play as a wing-back – and has appreciation of doing so with Notts County, with whom he won promotion – and so in the event that Mellon does switch to make use of a system that employs wing-backs then he gives them another option. I am not expecting The Latics to have the biggest of squads and with an emphasis more so on quality rather than quality, and in order to achieve that having composite players is key. 

Bennetts would be another player to contribute towards a nucleus of players who have been successful in League Two, and help them to try and get promoted from the league this coming season. He was by no means a regular for The Magpies this season as they won the League Two play-offs, yet he still played 32 times for County in the league.

I personally feel that there is more there in Bennetts’ game than we perhaps saw last term, and I think if Mellon can simplify his game and get the best out of his attributes then I feel there is the potential to be a top end League Two player. Bennetts’ end product is by no means consistent, and I think there is scope for him to improve his decision-making. However, if they can harness what he is good at I feel he could be a good squad option.

Joe Gardner (Nottingham Forest – fee)

One player that has already been rumoured to be of interest to The Latics to sign during the summer is Nottingham Forest youngster Joe Gardner. 

Gardner finished the 2025-26 campaign out on loan in the Football League with Mansfield Town, having featured in the 2024-25 campaign at Lincoln City. During both spells, the youngster played sparingly and managed to get on the scoresheet once in both loans, and so I feel he is still fairly new to first-team football. Signing for Oldham Athletic would see the youngster be dropping down a league to that which he has featured in the past two campaigns, but I feel that if he is going to get regular minutes under his belt then going into League Two may well be the right level at which to pitch him. 

I don’t feel that Oldham Athletic are going to have the biggest of squads at their disposal, and so Mellon has got to find value in the signings that he makes. One of the benefits in signing Gardner is that he can play as a #9 or used in a wide role, and can play anywhere across the forward positions. 

I think that he is best playing in a front two alongside a more physically robust forward, and whereby the youngster is capable of always being on the move, picking up clever pockets of space between the lines and using his speed and agility in getting on the turn and driving the ball to goal. When he was at Lincoln City, Gardner was used in a largely attacking midfield role, but in a Latics side that largely operate with a 4-4-2 I think he can provide real value playing as a secondary striker in behind a target #9. 

The youngster offers the Latics attack with something a little bit different. One thing that I feel they should be looking to add is that forward profile that can commit players, carry the ball and attack space. Gardner’s first thought is to drive direct-to-goal, play on the turn and take that risk. He is perhaps a little bit unpolished in his play and his decision-making can be improved, but in terms of that technical quality, quick feet and close control to weave his way through challenges and in riding tackles he is an exciting profile. 

With Nottingham Forest competing in the Premier League, the opportunities for Gardner to break through into the first-team are going to be few and far between. I think that for the sake of his own professional career it may be a convenient point (this summer) for the 20-year-old to make a permanent move away from The County Ground. Oldham Athletic haven’t been overly big-spending or adventurous in the transfer market under Micky Mellon in what has required a largely frugal approach to the market, however I think that the youngster would represent a sensible investment on a long-term deal.

Michael Mellon (Burnley – free)

The second striker on this list and the last player I have picked out as being a potential signing for Oldham Athletic in the off season is Michael Mellon. The young striker – son of Latics boss Mickey – finished the campaign on loan with the club. Going into the summer, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Mellon return to Boundary Park on a permanent basis. 

The 22-year-old is out of contract this summer with parent club Burnley, and I expect that he will be allowed to leave Turf Moor. The Clarets have already got a bloated squad and have to move on quite a few players during the off season, and for the level that Burnley will be pitching themselves at next year in making an instant return to the Premier League then Michael Mellon is a little way off that. The sensible decision for him is to go and find a new permanent home.

As a player, Mellon is a physical outlet that presses hard from the front, has a good technical ability and control of the ball under pressure, and he is a fairly self-sufficient player that has got the athleticism and physicality in occupying defenders and bringing others into play. He isn’t the quickest in playing on the last line of the opposition, but he is the type of player that you can lift the ball into in the channels and get him pinning defenders and getting on the turn to drive at goal.

Given how well he did in Latics colours and the obvious connection, it wouldn’t surprise me if he has already signed some sort of agreement around making a permanent return to the club this summer. He is someone that I think is capable of kicking on and going to another level to that what we have seen already in an Oldham Athletic shirt this season, and if they can get him ‘fit and firing’ then they have got a very capable #9 for the level on their hands with the potential to develop into – I feel – a more than adequate option for the level above.